The STIGMA of Mental Illness

The STIGMA of
Mental Illness
STIGMA
• A cluster of negative attitudes and beliefs
• Motivates public to fear, reject, avoid and
discriminate
• Not just a matter of using wrong words or
actions, it is the use of negative labels to
identify a person with a mental illness
• Fear of stigma may cause a person to not
seek the medical attention they need
• Many people living with a mental illness
say that the stigma is worse than the
disease itself.
Terms related to Stigmas
• Stereotype: attitudes about a group of
people ie. People with mental illness are
dangerous
• Prejudice: agreeing with the stereotype
• Discrimination: behaviour that excludes
http://www.cmha.ca/highschoolcurriculum/media/Laing_House_ENG2.wmv
Click on the above URL to view a brief movie on living with stigma.
The teens in the video are residents of Laing House, and are learning to
cope with various types of mental illness.
How to reduce stigma
• Provide information based on reliable
research
• Advocacy programs
• Public education programs
• Contact with persons with mental illness
• Programs to help with integration
• Treatment and support to help with
recovery
What can YOU do to reduce stigma?
• Learn more about mental illness
• Listen to those who have mental illness
• Watch your language
• Speak up
• Talk openly – don’t be afraid to let others
know
• Volunteer with organizations that provide
support for those with mental illness